While workers continue to remedy the road closure on Highway 97 north of Summerland, an additional detour will open for drivers travelling the route between Summerland and Peachland.
Equipment is continuing to construct the detour route from the rockslide on #BCHwy97. We thank you for your patience. Visit https://t.co/DoWL9tWBzU for information on the best detour available for you. #Summerland #Peachland #Kelowna #Penticton #SOK #DriverAlert pic.twitter.com/iroNPOrIJj
— Argo Roads South Okanagan (@ArgoRoadsSOK) February 9, 2019
A detour is scheduled to open via Callan Road along Highway 97 at 5 a.m. Monday morning. The new route will substitute for the existing routes that operated through forest service roads (Trout Creek Forest Service Rd. and 201 Forest Service Rd.), which are deemed no longer necessary and will not be maintained.
The two-lane, 900-metre route will provide drivers a direct path around the Highway 97 closure, which was caused by a rock slide on Feb. 2. The speed limit along the new detour will be 30 km/h.
Argo Road Maintenance Inc. will focus on maintaining Callan Rd., and will sand and snow plow the detour.
Both light vehicles and larger commercial vehicles will be able to use the significantly shorter route to reach their destinations, but are reminded that vehicles should be fitted with good winter tires.
Commercial vehicles exceeding 3.8m in length will only be permitted to use the detour between midnight and 5 a.m. The detour will not be available to pedestrians or cyclists at any time and occasional blasting work will be conducted, although not between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. or 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
PHOTOS: #BCHwy97 rockslide work near #Summerland.
— BC Transportation (@TranBC) February 9, 2019
1. Signage on Hwy 97 N/Bound at Summerland directing to alternate route on FSR’s to get to Peachland
2. Grader working on FSR between #Summerland and #Peachland
3. Current work being done on Callan Rd Detour route pic.twitter.com/Ac7iRicLgd
Workers will continue their work and geotechnical assessments of the slope above Highway 97 in anticipation of its reopening to traffic “as soon as its safe to do so,” said Transportation and Infrastructure BC.
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